This lot features a matched pair of Edan figures, traditional ceremonial insignia of the Ogboni society among the Yoruba people of Nigeria. Cast in solid brass, these figures represent the male and female duality essential to Ogboni cosmology, honoring Onile, the spirit of the Earth. These pieces exhibit the classical stylistic markers of Yoruba metalwork: prominent, heavy-lidded eyes, stylized facial scarification, and elaborate conical headdresses. Historically, such figures were linked by a chain and served as symbols of judicial authority and spiritual protection for high-ranking society members. The brass has developed a mellow, aged luster, highlighting the intricate hand-finished details of the casting. These Edan are prized by collectors of ethnographic art for their profound symbolic meaning and their role in the complex social and religious hierarchy of West Africa.

DIMENSIONS 14 inches long

CONDITION REPORT The figures are in very good vintage condition, showing a natural aged patina across the brass surfaces. The casting is well-preserved with no significant loss of detail or structural cracks. The iron rods extending from the base of the figures show typical surface oxidation consistent with age. This pair is presented without the connecting chain, which is common for figures of this age.